Product Description

"This lively biography . . . intorduces young readers to the mother of the Father of Our Country and, obluquely, shows Goerge Washington in a more human light. . . . An entertaining view of a lesser-known figure in American history."--Booklist.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #884774 in Books
• Published on: 1992-08-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-- Fritz brings the excitement of history to newly independent readers. They will easily relate to teenaged George having to obey his mother, but may not understand her continual meddling and kvetching once her son be- comes an adult. Using factual data and funny incidents, the author humorously depicts Mary Ball Washington as a manipulative and stubborn worrywart. The numerous, half- and full-page, pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of Margot Tomes's work; they complement the text and extend the humor. However, the paintings lack the visual crispness associated with Fritz's earlier biographies illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman and others. Still, George Washington's Mother gives youngsters an enjoyable introduction to our nation's first president from a unique perspective. --Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

POOR LITTLE FIRST- MOTHER
Poor George ! This book really surprised me. Is this based on facts? Good lesson on contentment. We should all count our blessings, daily. Mrs. Washington had many, yet she was blind to them.I WOULD STILL BUY THIS AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CHARACTER TRAITS.

Disappointing...not Jean Fritz's usual quality
I am a fan of Jean Fritz, but I was disappointed with this book. It portrays Mrs. Washington in a very bad light, selfish, and greedy. While this may be true, I don't feel it is appropriate for this age level. Children this age should be taught to respect adults. If what Jean Fritz wrote about Mrs. Washington is true then I don't mind my children learning about it...when they are a bit older. Although this book was a disappointment, I do recommend other Fritz books such as George Wahington's Breakfast, and Shh! We're writing the Constitution.

A Friendly Droll Little Book!
I really appreciated this book. It shows that we are all human and even George Washington had a clingy dependent mother. Whatever flaws he had in his own personality and flaws in his relations, he still found himself being able to cope and acheive. That's a great message to send to readers. It also highlights the dependency women had on men. George Washington's mother was not able to support herself and believed she could not cope.